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Genetic diversity and economic development: Evidence from Chinese provinces

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  • Chan, Kenneth S.
  • Dang, Vinh Q.T.
  • Li, Tingting

Abstract

This paper examines whether the genetic patterns among Chinese provinces are good predictors of provincial prosperity. Asfraf & Galor (2013) found genetic diversity has two offsetting impacts on prosperity. It lowers the interpersonal trust, which weakens collective actions. But it also brings a variety of ideas and abilities that are conducive to innovation. Asfraf-Galor found a hump-shaped relationship between genetic diversity and prosperity. Our paper finds genetic diversity has a negative impact not only on trust but also on innovative activities among Chinese provinces. Hence, only part of Ashraf-Galor's predictions is supported. A collectivist culture might explain this difference.

Suggested Citation

  • Chan, Kenneth S. & Dang, Vinh Q.T. & Li, Tingting, 2018. "Genetic diversity and economic development: Evidence from Chinese provinces," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 50-62.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reveco:v:56:y:2018:i:c:p:50-62
    DOI: 10.1016/j.iref.2018.03.017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Enrico Spolaore & Romain Wacziarg, 2009. "The Diffusion of Development," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 124(2), pages 469-529.
    2. Quamrul Ashraf & Oded Galor, 2008. "Human Genetic Diversity and Comparative Economic Development," 2008 Meeting Papers 617, Society for Economic Dynamics.
    3. Yuriy Gorodnichenko & Gerard Roland, 2017. "Culture, Institutions, and the Wealth of Nations," The Review of Economics and Statistics, MIT Press, vol. 99(3), pages 402-416, July.
    4. Louis Putterman & David N. Weil, 2010. "Post-1500 Population Flows and The Long-Run Determinants of Economic Growth and Inequality," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 125(4), pages 1627-1682.
    5. Luigi Guiso & Paola Sapienza & Luigi Zingales, 2009. "Cultural Biases in Economic Exchange?," The Quarterly Journal of Economics, President and Fellows of Harvard College, vol. 124(3), pages 1095-1131.
    6. Kenneth S. Chan & Xianxiang Xu & Yuanhua Gao, 2015. "The China Growth Miracle: The Role of the Formal and the Informal Institutions," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 63-90, January.
    7. Quamrul Ashraf & Oded Galor, 2013. "The 'Out of Africa' Hypothesis, Human Genetic Diversity, and Comparative Economic Development," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 103(1), pages 1-46, February.
    8. Rongzhu Ke & Weiying Zhang, 2003. "Trust in China: A Cross-Regional Analysis," William Davidson Institute Working Papers Series 2003-586, William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan.
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    Cited by:

    1. Paul Minard, 2020. "Is China’s regional inequality ethnic inequality?," Letters in Spatial and Resource Sciences, Springer, vol. 13(3), pages 297-314, December.
    2. Chan, Kenneth S. & Lai, Jennifer Te & Li, Tingting, 2022. "Cultural values, genes and savings behavior in China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 134-146.
    3. Wang, Ling & Ruan, Jianqing, 2024. "Cultural diversity, social network, and off-farm employment: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 89(PB), pages 581-596.
    4. Qin, Yu & Ruan, Jianqing & Wang, Ling & Yan, Jubo, 2022. "Genetic distance and intra-national variation in preferences and behaviours," Journal of Asian Economics, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Culture; Genetic diversity; Prosperity; China;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • N35 - Economic History - - Labor and Consumers, Demography, Education, Health, Welfare, Income, Wealth, Religion, and Philanthropy - - - Asia including Middle East
    • N55 - Economic History - - Agriculture, Natural Resources, Environment and Extractive Industries - - - Asia including Middle East
    • O1 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development
    • O3 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights
    • O4 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Growth and Aggregate Productivity
    • O53 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Asia including Middle East

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